35 pages • 1 hour read
Purity and Danger
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Book Brief
272
Book • Nonfiction
1960s
1966
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Originally published in 1966, Purity and Danger, by Mary Douglas, is a treatise on the concepts of purity and uncleanness in various societies and cultures. Douglas, a British anthropologist, explores how dietary rules, religious rituals, and social and sexual taboos express societal beliefs about order and the cosmic structure, arguing against viewing purity taboos as irrational or merely hygienic.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
2,265 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Douglas' Purity and Danger is praised for its groundbreaking exploration of how societies classify and respond to the concept of purity and impurity. Critics commend its interdisciplinary approach and insightful analysis. However, some reviewers find the dense academic language challenging. Overall, it remains a seminal text in anthropology and cultural studies.
Who Should Read Purity and Danger?
Readers who enjoy Purity and Danger by Mary Douglas typically have interests in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. They appreciate analyses of how societies conceptualize and manage purity and pollution. Fans of Emile Durkheim's The Elementary Forms of Religious Life and Erving Goffman's The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life will find it particularly engaging.
2,265 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim
A French sociologist considered the founder of modern social science, he influences Douglas's work, especially with his concept of "collective consciousness."
Robertson Smith
Robertson Smith
An English minister and orientalist who contributed to the field of comparative religion; his work is cited by Douglas in her discussions of religion and ritual.
Sir James Frazer
Sir James Frazer
A Scottish anthropologist and folklorist whose evolutionist theories on magic, religion, and science are critiqued by Douglas.
Mircea Eliade
Mircea Eliade
A Romanian historian of religion whose opinions on sacredness and religious symbolism of water are utilized by Douglas in her work.
Lucien Levy-Bruhl
Lucien Levy-Bruhl
A French philosopher and anthropologist noted for his study of thought categories across cultures, whom Douglas cites extensively, especially on topics like witchcraft beliefs.
William James
William James
An American philosopher and psychologist whose ideas on the significance of evil and death rituals are applied by Douglas in her examination of African tribal customs.
272
Book • Nonfiction
1960s
1966
Adult
18+ years
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